Greek Cypriot business owners have filed a civil action in the Nicosia District Court against PepsiCo Inc. and 11 other individuals and companies, seeking damages exceeding €140 million in connection with the alleged occupation and use of property in occupied Famagusta.
The claim was filed by the law firm G. Georgiades & Associates LLC on behalf of Cyprofruta Limited and Cyprus Farming Company Limited, which state they are the lawful owners of a factory and adjoining land in the Trachonas Limni area of the Famagusta district.
Property at centre of legal dispute
According to the statement of claim, the plaintiffs operated a profitable commercial enterprise on the property before the events of 1974.
The lawsuit alleges that, since 1981, the property has been used by the Turkish Cypriot company Ektam Kibris Ltd, which produces beverages carrying the Pepsi, Pepsi Max, 7Up, Mirinda and other PepsiCo trademarks. The action also names companies allegedly linked to Ektam and their owners.
Defendants named in proceedings
The lawsuit names 12 defendants, including:
- Mehmet Melih Sipahioglu
- PepsiCo Inc.
- Infima Holding (formerly Tamek Holding A.S.)
- PepsiCo Servis ve Dagitim Ltd
- Fruko Mesrubat San Ltd
- Tamek Sagra Grup Gida Uretim A.S.
- Ordu Yardimlasma Kurumu (OYAK)
- Pergama Icecek A.S.
- Giingor Sipahioglu
- Dr Semsi Kazim Erkman
- Sibel Erkman
- Eda Erkman
Pre-action notice issued
According to the plaintiffs, a written pre-action notice was sent to the defendants on 10 February 2026, requesting that they cease occupying and using the disputed property, return possession to the alleged lawful owners and pay compensation relating to the activities carried out there since 1981.
The plaintiffs state that the defendants did not comply with those requests, resulting in the filing of the court action.
Claims for compensation and possession
The plaintiffs are seeking several remedies, including:
- A court order prohibiting the defendants and their representatives from continuing or repeating the alleged unlawful use of the property.
- €9.15 million in rent for the use of the property between 1981 and 30 September 2026, based on an estimated annual rental value of €200,000.
- €135 million for alleged loss of use of the property and loss of net business profits during the same period, calculated on the basis of annual economic activity of €3 million over 45 years.
Court participation remains uncertain
The report states that PepsiCo is expected to enter an appearance in the proceedings and respond to the claims.
The position of the Turkish companies named in the lawsuit remains unclear. The report notes that they may either participate in the proceedings or choose not to appear before the Cyprus court. No response from the defendants was included in the report.
As of publication, the allegations contained in the claim had not been tested in court.
